Fariñas didn’t sign complaint, so why is he a prosecutor?

Why is Ilocos Norte Representative Rodolfo Fariñas acting as a prosecutor in the trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona when he was not among the 188 members of the House of Representatives who signed last month the impeachment complaint against Corona?

Fariñas said he was not bothered at all by this question, especially if senators, sitting as judges in the impeachment court, would raise this.

He said his being part of the prosecution team would not weaken the case.

“It would, in fact, strengthen the case because it will show that even after the fact, I still believe in the strength and veracity of the complaint. That’s why I joined [the team],” Fariñas told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview.

He said he joined the panel without compulsion unlike other congressmen who were compelled to prosecute because they were signatories to the complaint.

Fariñas said there was no reason for him to go against the wishes of the majority members of the House who elected him to be part of the 11-member  prosecuting team.

He said Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. also asked for his help in prosecuting Corona.

“Even if I was not a complainant, many believed that I could be of help. Why should I decline it?” Fariñas said.

Lawyers have an oath not to deny any man counsel, he said.

Fariñas finished his law degree at Ateneo de Manila University in 1978 and placed eighth in the bar examinations.

According to Fariñas, he had a long litigation experience. “I appear for myself. You know, I was accused of kidnapping, of illegal detention, of graft and corruption, in the regional trial courts, the Court of Appeals, the Commission on Elections and the Supreme Court. I’m always my own lawyer,” he said.

Fariñas said he had not handled cases other than his own as he was only 28 years old when he became a mayor of his province.

“So, if it’s my case I handle it. I have so many cases, even now,” he said with a laugh.